MI: Muslims Reach Out at Interfaith Services

DEARBORN -- Booming organ music filled downtown Detroit's Fort StreetPresbyterian Church on Friday night as worshippers packed pews to celebrateone of the holiest of Christian holidays.

Among them was Eide Alawan of Dearborn, a Muslim, who since the September11 attacks has worked to strengthen relationships among faiths, making it apoint each Christmas to reach out to Christians.

"Where else but in America?" asked Alawan as he listened to the church'sChristmas Eve organ concert, featuring songs like "Ava Maria." "I don'tthink it would happen anywhere else.

"I want to feel the spirituality of someone else's faith."

For a week, he had been sending e-mails to fellow Muslims, inviting them toattend the services with him. He has noticed more Christians and Jewsvisiting mosques to learn more about Islam, but hasn't seen as muchinterest the other way around. Last year about six Muslims came with him tovarious services.

He was disappointed to see that none came this year: "I just continue towork on it."

"Right after September 11, I felt that I had to engage within theinterfaith community and better understand it," said Alawan, who works withthe Islamic Center of America. "It's an opportunity not only to learn aboutfaith traditions, but an opportunity to have spiritual understanding..."

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